Flask / Webview / HTMX Based Application

The Flask / Webview / HTMX Application is a hybrid desktop application that merges the powers of Python-based web development, native desktop functionalities, and hypermedia driven frontend interactions. Designed to provide the convenience of web technology, performance of a native application, and simplicity of Python programming.

Underlying Technologies

This application leverages the capabilities of three powerful technologies:

1. Flask: A web framework written in Python, renowned for its simplicity and minimalistic approach. Despite its "micro" classification, Flask is versatile and capable of powering complex web applications.

2. Pywebview: A lightweight library for creating web-based desktop applications. Pywebview uses native WebView components to display web content in a separate application window, eliminating the need for C++ or Java.

3. HTMX: An incredibly lightweight and powerful front-end library. HTMX allows developers to handle AJAX, CSS Transitions, WebSockets, and Server Sent Events directly in HTML, facilitating the front-end to backend communication without needing JavaScript.

Installation

Follow the steps below to set up and run this application on your local machine:

1. Create a Python 3 virtual environment:

   python3 -m venv env
   

2. Activate the virtual environment:

   source env/bin/activate  # for Linux/macOS
   env\Scripts\activate  # for Windows
   

3. Install the required dependencies into the virtual environment based on your operating system:

   pip install -r linux_requirements.txt  # for Linux
   pip install -r mac_requirements.txt  # for macOS
   

4. Run the application:

   python main.py
   

Packaging for Desktop

You can also package this application as a standalone desktop application for Linux, macOS, or Windows. Refer to the Pywebview documentation on freezing for detailed instructions on how to do this.

Features

With the combined capabilities of Flask, Pywebview, and HTMX, this application provides the expansive Python ecosystem and the versatility of web development while preserving a native look and feel. Enjoy features like real-time updates, smooth navigation, dynamic content loading, and more.

License

This project is licensed under the terms of the MIT license.